Sail into the Wild

Sail into the Wild Svalbard

3 days sailing expedition around Isfjorden

Are you ready for a weekend sail around the glacier cost of Svalbard? Leaving Longyearbyen on Friday we venture into Svalbard second biggest fjord, Isfjorden for a taste of the Polar regions. Depending on the weather and wind conditions, we either search the different fjord arms of Isfjorden or sneak around the corner to sail northwards. The fjord is full of beautiful glacier fronts, bird cliffs and arctic wildlife. The gulf stream keeps the fjord ice-free for large parts of the year, although sometime the same stream carries tons of drift ice into the fjord. Million years of geological history is visible, and over 400 hundred years of human presence has put its mark on the landscape.

We navigate through wildlife hotspots, but as always luck comes with hard work. Along the way we keep our eyes and ears open to find the best wildlife viewings, as the migratory pattern changes throughout the season and even the day. Over the last years more whales are visiting Svalbard, so we might even see the 200 tons blue whales gliding in the water, where the sound of the blow takes your breath away. Many of us have the Big Five of Svalbard on our bucket list. Therefore keep scanning to spot the Polar Bear, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Svalbard Reindeer and Ivory gull. What will we see this weekend?

Program

Day 1

Meet your guide at 15:00 at Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen who will take you to our wooden three-masted Schooner Linden. If you have extra luggage, you can leave this in the luggage storage at the Basecamp hotel. We will gather in the ship lounge for some snacks and a safety briefing. This is a good time to get to know the staff and your fellow voyagers. Checking the last ice charts and the weather, your Captain and Expedition Leader will finalise our route. If the wind is favorable it’s time to hoist the sails and head into the pristine arctic waters!

Our crew loves sailing and is eager to teach you too. With the help of our professional team, you can become a true seaman yourself! Linden is made for the Arctic waters and sails graceful. Later we gather for the captain’s welcome dinner as we continue to sail towards our next destination.

After dinner a non-stop noise from the towering bird cliff greets us and we head ashore. Thousands of female Brünnich’s Guillemots are to lay a single egg each on the narrow cliff ledges above us, and these big black and white auks busy around and fill the air. As we hike across the tundra we need to watch out, the Arctic skuas don’t want us near their nests. The Svalbard reindeer is rather interested in getting a closer look at us. With a bit of luck on our side, we may find the Arctic fox foraging for birds and eggs below the cliffs.

Dinner included

S/V Linden

Day 2

On Saturday morning we wake up next to Basecamp’s outpost, Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel. Indulge in unexpected luxury and genuine hospitality at this old radio station packed with history. If you feel like it, join one of your guides for a 2-3 hour hike around the station and the surroundings. After the walk you can enjoy the new scenery sauna at the Isfjord Radio – what a way to finish a hike! Bordering Isfjord Radio is a bird sanctuary, providing new opportunities to spot that Arctic fox bird or egg hunting! Just like the former station manager hosted and served the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen, Isfjord Radio’s own Michelin star trained chef will prepare and serve us a treat before we embark Linden again.

And the afternoon has more adventure to come. Nearby Isfjord Radio, there are areas where the walrus colonies gather on the beaches. We will check the sites and see if they are home. Will our search for this bewhiskered beast pay off? It’s never possible to know for sure beforehand, but walrus don’t like wind or fog as it makes it easier for polar bears to approach and attack. So for once, we are hoping for less wind!

All meals included

S/V Linden

Day 3

On Sunday morning we wake up surrounded by wild landscape and glimmering glaciers. First the surreal scene appears silent, but you will discover there is a constant fizz, snap and pop of melting ice releasing trapped air bubbles. Millions upon millions of bubbles are continually released as the glacier melts away underneath the ocean surface. And then it happens. The glacier calves with loud roars and tumbles down into the ocean.

After a hearty and healthy breakfast, we land and hike into the valley in search of geological clues, patterns and fossilized wildlife. Svalbard is a geological hotspot without much vegetation displaying several billion years of history. One treasure trophy found here was a 15 meter long fossilized Jurassic pliosaurus, the most fearsome carnivorous marine reptile ever to have existed on Earth. Back on the ship, we enjoy lunch before we head back to civilization. Even when closing the settlement, keep your eyes for white flashes of up to 4,5 meters of lean blubber crossing our paths. There are groups of white beluga whales in the fjord as we get close to Longyearbyen to drop you off!

Details

Summary

What’s included

Private bathroom double occupancy or Shared bathroom single occupancy
Activities, accommodation and meals according to the program (note: the program can vary due to weather)
Transport to and from accommodation in Longyearbyen
Search and rescue insurance
Equipment:
Insulated rubber boots for onboard, hikes and boat rides
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for the boat transfers

What’s not included

Recommended equipment

Recommended clothing in the Arctic: Woollen underwear as the base layer, warm wool or fleece trousers & sweater on the top, two layers of socks (thin & thick woollen socks), water- and windproof layer on the top (spacious clothing is recommended since air is the best insulation), minimum 2 pair of gloves (1 pair wool and 1 pair water- and windproof are recommended), warm hat (windproof), scarf or fleece tube

Good to have with you: Indoor shoes or extra woollen socks, Indoor leisure wear/ casual clothing for dinner, Toilet articles, Sunglasses, Sunscreen (not based on water), Binoculars, Camera, Contact lenses (for those using glasses), Small bag/ backpack for personal equipment during excursions and a power adapter plug for European 220 volt. The rest of your belongings you can leave to Basecamp Hotel.

PFD Personal Flotation Device
Please let us know more details if you need a child size PFD so we can ensure we have the correct flotation device for your child.

Note

In Spitsbergen, weather conditions can change quickly. We can meet heavy winds, storms, and thick fog. This means we might need to make changes to the planned route, and this can cause us not to reach all the destinations we have described in the program.

We will sail through some areas with high density of wildlife, but we cannot guarantee any wildlife encounters, as the migratory pattern changes throughout the season and from day to day.

Our aim is to sail as much as possible, but the weather conditions will determine where and how we go. The Captain in cooperation with the Expedition Leader will make the final decision about when and if to set sail.

As part of Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen’s efforts to be climate neutral, there will be an additional climate investment charge of NOK 250 per guest. This is donated in its entirety to Basecamp Foundation’s forestry project in Masai Mara, Kenya. The trees bind CO2 and contribute to reducing the effects of emissions associated with our activities – and your travel. For more information, please visit: www.basecampfoundation.org

Combine your stay with accommodation at the most unique hotel at Longyearbyen – Basecamp Hotel.